He incites his class at school but wait til you see the kind of Dad he is at home:

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Doesn't this man make you glad to be alive!

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Another thought for Monday: the 31st

Our Gospel Scripture reading on this Monday morning, New Year's Eve, seems startling. We just finished celebrating the birth of Christ, and today many of us are preparing for a less religious celebration of the end of the year, followed by a new beginning tomorrow with our resolutions. But here is a reading about “Beginning” given to us before the beginning of the New Year.

I think it brings to mind the opening of Genesis, which also begins with "In the beginning," as if by our resolutions we hope to recreate ourselves with the New Year. So why is this reading given to us today? It reminds us of a Beginning before the creation of all things in Genesis, even before the beginning of time. This Beginning points us to the foundation of all reality in God--Christ Himself, the Word of the Father dwelling with the Father and the Holy Spirit “before all things were made.”

The reason for reading it today is that it reminds us that before beginning our attempts at renewal in the New Year, there is always “the Light” of Christ who “was with God and who was God.” Our renewal is always through Christ "who came to dwell among us" at Christmas—the real New Year begins with Christmas.

New Year's Day will soon pass and be gone. We will turn our attention to Easter where Christmas bears fruit: we will celebrate our becoming "children" "born of God," just as at Christmas we celebrated “The Word” being born of a woman. This reading asks us to stop for a moment in our celebration and think of where it all began—“in the Beginning”—in the love of the Father for the Son through the Holy Spirit.

That's something to celebrate.

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December 31, 2012
“On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: seven swans a-swimmin’”. The elegance of the swan in her natural habitat is picturesque beyond doubt: beautiful, trusting, confident. The natural habitat for the married couple is with one another in trusting relationship together. As we reach the last day of 2012 have we given each other our time, dated enough this past year, grown closer together in our marriage?

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December 30, 2012
“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me “six geese a-layin’”. Marriage can often be about layin’ down one’s life for ones spouse even if in a figurative sense. The two become one flesh. In what ways have I “lay-ed” down my life for my loved one, my spouse, this past year?

December 29, 2012

“On the 5th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 5 gold rings.” It only takes one ring to marry. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be a ring or of gold. The “I do!” is the core of your vow. Plan five things that you will DO for your marriage this week.

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December 28, 2012

“On the 4th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 4 Calling Birds.” What do you call each other? Can each of you think of four loving pet names you could call each other? Ask which one your honey likes best.

December 27, 2012

“On the 3rd Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 3 French Hens.” Some have interpreted this lyric to refer to the Trinity. Another possibility is that God forms the 3rd person in the marriage relationship. It’s a mystery. Ponder it.

December 26, 2012

“On the 2nd Day of Christmas my true love gave to me – 2 Turtle Doves.” As a species, turtle doves are known to form strong pair bonds, thus they are a symbol of devoted love. You don’t need the doves, just act like them – minus the messy part.

O O O O O O O O O O (especially for the married) O O O O O O O O

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December 25, 2012

The 1st day of Christmas: Christmas day can be busy, even hectic, as you prepare food for guests or travel to relatives. Share the work. If you feel ready to snap, take a 5 minute “sanity break.” It’s called prayer. Remember Jesus’ words to Martha. (Luke 11:41-42)

Merry Christmas:

The Very First:
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for the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings: the Prince of Peace.


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Morning Mass Group celebrates:

Marge, our host, opens her home to us:

Sister Maureen, Susan, Mary Frances, Maryann:

Nancy, Barbara, Jackie:

Linda, Deacon Gene, Simon

Mary Frances, Ann, Linda, Barbara, Nancy, Simon:

Our Hearts are Broken:

Tragedy Talking Points
by Dr. Brad Schwall

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The following guidelines may help you in addressing the incident with your children based on the information currently known about the tragedy to this point.

>Avoid exposing children to too much media coverage.
>Avoid fostering rumors and speculation about the tragedy.
>Age and Stage Responses


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Preschool-2nd grade – discuss the incident only if the child has heard any of the news. There is no need to inform the child of the tragedy if the child does not know about it.


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3rd- 5th graders are more likely to have heard the news. Decide whether to bring the issue up with 3rd and 4th graders based on their temperaments.

>Check for what your child knows – Ask, “What have you heard today?"

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You may choose to approach the subject with children in 6th grade and older.

No matter your child’s age, consider the following responses based on how you believe you need to address the tragedy with your child.

>The tragedy is isolated and tragedies like this happen rarely.
>The fact that this tragedy happened does not mean there is an immediate danger where you live.
>Emphasize that safety precautions are in place in schools.
>Reflect what your child may be feeling – “I know this is scary news. It is very sad.”
>Emphasize empathy for the victims – “It is very sad that this happened to those families and children.”

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Teenagers may reflect on the fragile nature of life and the unpredictability of life.
The conversation may focus on:

>Validating your child's feelings - it is OK to feel scared or sad
>Emphasizing that your child is safe
>Empathizing with the victims

St. Joseph Cruising Crusaders: 2012

A preview of what's ahead:
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The Friday AFTER Thanksgiving

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Today is Black Friday, which, more than any other day in American culture celebrates consumerism, and pressures us to buy and gives the reassurance that buying, for its own sake, is good. The stress of gift-buying can distract from our celebration of welcoming Christ into the world.

Jesus condemned the selling of goods within the temple area because it distracted from the temple’s intended purpose: prayer. As we transition from a day devoted to gratitude into the Advent season, let us strive to untangle our lives from the clutter of advertising and materialism. Let us purify our hearts to seek Christ and his teachings and to will peace and God’s presence to all we encounter this season.

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Blessings:

“O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those
who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer....

And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out
for what we take for granted.
Amen.”

Thanksgiving Day at St. Joseph's: 2012

Some of our volunteers:

Waiting to eat!

The serving line is ready:

Desserts waiting.

Half the Parish Hall:

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Don't know the final tally of those served but by 10:30 the number was already 500.


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Happy Thanksgiving Evening:

Happy Thanksgiving

My great-niece, Adrianne, celebrates her 4th Birthday.

A Home Blessing

They asked if they could have their Condo on Pensacola Beach blessed. I said, certainly. But, it'll cost ya. At least a sandwich.

But I got an entire meal with friends!

Howz that for an enjoyable afternoon.

Another thought for Thursday ... the 15th

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St Paul’s letter to Philimon verses 7-20
Luke’s Gospel chapter 17 verses 20-25

In today’s scripture reading, Jesus addresses, among other things, the apparently timeless desire to schedule things in advance, to know what to expect, to have a handle on what comes next. Speaking of the kingdom of God, Jesus could just as easily be talking about a baby not yet born or an expected shower to a farm area experiencing drought: when will it come and how will we see it is coming? Like an anticipated childbirth or rainstorm, the kingdom of God coming at the wrong time could certainly be a problem for the unprepared.

So, not to be caught off guard, how do we remain ready at all times? Do we live at church and go to confession everyday? Does perpetual readiness mean burning out from staying awake day after day? Should we imperil our own health by constant acts of self-sacrifice and never resting?

Certainly it is good to attend to the spiritual practices that nourish the soul – partaking regularly of the sacraments, making amends whenever wrong has been done, nurturing a regular habit of making time for God in prayer and service to neighbors in need – but is that what Jesus is saying?
I can say with great conviction that peace and perpetual readiness come not from having things happen as expected but rather from a discipline of gratitude that helps us see God’s kingdom breaking forth around us right now.
If we cultivate the ability to see God acting in the midst of our brokenness now, regardless of when the baby or the rains come, then our awareness of God’s love for us as we are will help us to be ready all the time.

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You have an elderly family member? Read this:

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Pope Benedict visits a home for the Elderly in Rome...

Presenting himself as “an elderly man visiting his peers”, Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome residence for the elderly yesterday, urging the residents to see their age as a sign of God’s blessing and urging society to value their presence and wisdom.

“Though I know the difficulties that come with being our age, I want to say, it’s wonderful being old,” the 85-year-old Pope said during a morning visit to the residence run by the lay Community of Sant’Egidio.

The residence includes apartments for independent living as well as rooms for those requiring more skilled care. Younger members of the Sant’Egidio Community give their time assisting with and visiting the residents, who include an elderly couple from Haiti whose home was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.

Walking with his white-handled black cane, the Pope visited several of the residents in their rooms and apartments before addressing them and members of Sant’Egidio in the garden.

One of the residents, 91-year-old Enrichetta Vitali, told the Pope: “I don’t eat so much anymore, but prayer is my nourishment.” She asked the Pope to “pray that I don’t lose my memory so I can keep remembering people in my prayers”.

The Pope told those gathered at the residence on the Janiculum Hill that in the Bible a long life is considered a blessing from God, but often today society, which is “dominated by the logic of efficiency and profit, doesn’t welcome it as such”.

“I think we need a greater commitment, beginning with families and public institutions, to ensure the elderly can stay in their homes” and that they can pass on their wisdom to younger generations.

“The quality of a society or civilisation can be judged by how it treats the elderly,” he said.

Pope Benedict also insisted on recognition of the dignity and value of all human life, even when “it becomes fragile in the years of old age”.

“One who makes room for the elderly, makes room for life,” the pope said. “One who welcomes the elderly, welcomes life.”

The Pope told the residents that he knows the aged face difficulties, especially in countries where the global economic crisis has hit hard. And, he said, the elderly can be tempted to long for the past when they had more energy and were full of plans for the future.

However, the Pope said, “life is wonderful even at our age, despite the aches and pains and some limitations”, he said.

“At our age, we often have the experience of needing other’s help, and this happens to the Pope as well,” he told the residents.

Pope Benedict said they need to see the help they require as a gift of God, “because it is a grace to be supported and accompanied and to feel the affection of others”.


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Another thought for ... Tuesday the 13th

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Based in Luke 17:7-10
Today is also the feast day of St. Frances Cabrini
- the first canonized American citizen

Notre Dame University is competitive. They want to be the best Catholic university, have the best students and professors, the best halls, the best teams, the best alumni—whatever best may mean. This ethos and effort usually is recognized through accolades: high standing in the US News & World Report’s College Rankings; making the Dean’s List; earning the “hall of the year”; championships; mention in Notre Dame Magazine. Often enough our competitiveness and merits bear worthy fruit; however, when we are honest, it can also breed arrogance, entitlement, and even violence.

This phenomenon, of course, is not particular to Notre Dame. Scripture and experience tells us that it is part of the human condition. Oftentimes we think too highly of ourselves and act as if we are gods. Even some modern church songs almost seem to suggest that God is so very fortunate to have us. Today’s passage from Luke reminds us to remember who we ultimately are; it bursts our balloons of delusion. We are not gods; rather, we are so very contingent. We and our nations, universities, halls, and teams rise and fall and eventually die.

During our earthly pilgrimage, God calls us to be God’s faithful servants—that is ultimate. In doing so, we are not entitled to seek position, prestige, or any type of merit based on what we do to fulfill that call. It is not a competition. It does not make us worthy to lay claim to God’s love. God’s loving presence—grace—is absolute gift.

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Thanks to our Veterans:

Remembering in our prayers all of the men and women who have given of themselves to serve and protect our country. We thank you for your service. God bless America.

Another thought for ... Monday the 12th

Lead them not into temptation


The notion of temptation may sound a bit old-fashioned these days when consumer culture hypes many of the seven deadly sins as virtues: “Grab what you can! Wolf it down! Indulge your fantasies!” What seems to be missing is a sense of the damage we cause ourselves when we let temptation be our guide. Worse yet is leading another down the wrong road. Jesus warned about that in vivid language his audience would understand. They had millstones in their homes for grinding and knew how heavy they were. His message? If despite all warnings you choose to drown in your own desires, by all means don’t take anyone else down with you!

Today's readings: Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6 (491)


“It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea ...”

The Plaza Hotel:

off limits, but you know.....

Remember this movie title, filmed at the Plaza-

so many desserts, so little time -

Our Horse Carriage driver directed us to this food mall under the Plaza Hotel. So glad he did. You gotta go there.

Freedom Tower and 9/11 Memorial:

Few more pics from visiting "The Cloisters":

The "Freedom Tower" rises into the sky:

You can see the clouds reflected in the windows:

The "Freedom Tower" relected in these windows:

Visit to the 9/11 Memorial:

Names along the way -